Secondary Education*

Please contact the department for further information.
(215) 204-6387

Secondary Education programs prepare the student to teach in the following certification areas:

- English
- Foreign Languages
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Mathematics
- Sciences
            - Biology
            - Chemistry
            - Earth and Space Science
            - General/Natural Science
            - Physics
- Social Studies

            - History

            - Economics

            - Geography and Urban Studies

            - Political Science

In order to maintain good standing in Secondary Education, students must achieve and maintain a 3.0 average in their teaching field in addition to maintaining an overall 3.0 cumulative average. Students in a secondary program with less than a 3.0 in their teaching field are urged to consider a change in teaching field or a transfer to another program or department. Students with less than a 3.0 average either in the major field or overall may not register for student teaching and will not be recommended for certification by the College of Education.

The courses listed for a major under each academic specialization section are meant to serve as a guide.  Students are strongly encouraged to consult the departments in which they are seeking second majors to verify that the specific requirements are being met in accordance with department regulations.  Simultaneously, students are encouraged to speak with their College of Education advisor to ensure that all requirements for Pennsylvania teacher certification are being met. A four-year academic plan for the degree programs below are available at: www.temple.edu/education/ugrad/advising.html.

* Currently, the Secondary Education programs are under review and awaiting approval.  All students enrolling in these programs for the first time in 2008-2009 will be notified as soon as the new program is approved with any revised requirements that may affect their program of study.  It is strongly recommended that you meet with an advisor before enrolling in classes specific to this major and leading to certification in Secondary Education, regardless of content area.  This is to assure that your intended program of study will be compatible with the proposed requirements and Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations.

Secondary English

Dr. Michael Smith, Program Advisor
215-204-6137

Ritter Hall 445
mwsmith@temple.edu

General Education and Professional Course Sequence Requirements

All of the requirements listed on the College Graduation Requirements page apply to this program.

Secondary Education

Academic Specialization

English

Students seeking certification in secondary English education must complete the requirements both for the major in secondary education with a concentration in English and for the English major as specified by the English Department.  (For more information on the English department's major requirements, click here.) In order to assure that students gain the content knowledge specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, we recommend most strongly that students choose elective English courses in the following areas: linguistics, film, Shakespeare, and African American literature. Students who do not complete this coursework may be at risk of failing the state-mandated Praxis II examination, which must be passed in order to be eligible for teacher certification.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialist

Dr. Jill Swavely-Gardner, Program Coordinator
Ritter Hall 461
215-204-6120
jmswav@temple.edu

The ESL program specialist certificate is available as an “add-on” or endorsement to an Instructional teaching certificate.

Candidates for the certificate are required to demonstrate competence of the fundamental concepts and practices of English as a second language, which are provided at the pre-school, elementary, or secondary levels.

The course requirements can be taken as part of an undergraduate or master’s degree.  Both the undergraduate and graduate options consist of a four-course sequence.

The ESL specialist curriculum includes training in the following components:

● English Usage and Developing Linguistic Awareness
● English as a Second Language Instructional Materials/Development
● English Language Learners (ELLs) Language & Support Services Knowledge
● Developing Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity

Note: The specialist certificate is an add-on to an Instructional certificate.  Candidates are expected to have completed general studies, professional courses, and core courses in any professional educator program, which culminates with an Instructional certificate.

ESL Specialist Certification Requirements/Experiences

Secondary Foreign Language Education

Dr. Elvis Wagner, Program Advisor
215-204-5821
elvis.wagner@temple.edu

Foreign Language certification is offered in French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish.

General Education and Professional Course Sequence Requirements

In addition to the Literature requirements listed on the College Graduation Requirements page (see Other Requirements for College of Education Students), all students must take one of the following:

Program Requirements for Secondary Education

Academic Specialization For certification in one foreign language

Ten courses above the first two elementary courses must be taken (that is, beyond courses which generally have the number 1001 and 1002).

All courses must be taught in the target language. (Native speakers who received most of their pre-university education in their native land may be eligible to certify by taking eight appropriate foreign language courses in their native language.)

These ten courses must include:

• Composition and Conversation: at least two (and preferably three) courses are required, except for Italian, in which only one course is available.
• Culture and Civilization: one course is required.
• Linguistics: one course is required. If no course is available in the target language, one will have to be taken in another department, but it will not count as a foreign language course if taken in the English or Speech departments.
• Literature: at least one course is required, preferably contemporary. Students should check with an advisor to select the specific courses that meet the above requirements. Additional courses should also be selected in consultation with an advisor. It is strongly recommended that, in Spanish, courses be taken in Peninsular and Latin American Spanish. Similarly, in French, coursework should include both continental and overseas French.

Academic Specialization For Certification in Two Foreign Languages

Ten courses in the first foreign language must be taken. If the language is begun at the college level, the first two elementary courses do not count toward the ten courses. At Temple, these courses are generally numbered 1001 and 1002.

For the second foreign language, eight courses must be taken. The first two beginning courses do count toward certification in the second foreign language.

Native speakers who were educated to speak, read, and write their native language need only eight courses in the formal study of their native language as a subject at the university level. Courses should be at an appropriate level for their background. There is no credit-by-examination given at Temple in a foreign language. A linguistics course is required for native speakers.

The same courses required for the first foreign language apply also to the second foreign language, (i.e., a course in composition and conversation, culture and civilization, and literature, preferably 20th century). A second linguistics course need not be taken.

It is strongly recommended that certification in two languages be pursued in order to enhance career opportunities. Courses may be taken during summer school to avoid heavy course loads during the academic year.

ELECTIVES (when certifying in one foreign language):  0-16
Total Semester Hours for Certification in One Foreign Language: 124
Total Semester Hours for Certification in Two Foreign Languages: 136-160

In the State of Pennsylvania, certification in a foreign language is a K-12 certificate. Since there is presently no certification in Pennsylvania in English as a Second Language (ESL or ESOL), foreign language teachers in this state are presently permitted to teach ESL as well under conditions specified by each school district.

Students must achieve passing scores on designated proficiency tests in each of the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in each language of certification to be permitted to take the methods courses in teaching a foreign language, to student teach, and to receive certification. The testing begins when the student completes six courses in the foreign language.

Foreign Study and/or Travel

Study and travel experiences in relevant foreign language speaking areas are highly recommended. Temple provides such experiences at Temple's Rome Campus, the Temple-Sorbonne program, the Temple University of Puerto Rico exchange program, or Temple's exchange programs with the Universities of Hamburg and Tübingen in Germany. The Latin American Studies Semester program is an immersion experience available at Temple's Main Campus to all Spanish majors during spring semesters.

Secondary Mathematics Education

Dr. Jacqueline Leonard, Lead Professor
215-204-8042
jacqueline.leonard@temple.edu

General Studies, Professional Course Sequence and Core Requirements

Several restrictions and additions to the requirements listed on the College Graduation Requirements page (see Other Requirements for College of Education Students) apply to students in this program:

● The Mathematics requirement cannot be met by 1011 (College Mathematics).
● The Mathematics requirements are listed in the program description below.

*The number of semester hours needed to fulfill specific requirements may vary slightly for transfer students.

Program Requirements for Secondary Education

Academic Specialization

Social Studies Education

Dr. Christine Woyshner, Program Advisor
215-204-6147
christine.woyshner@temple.edu

*pending approval

History

History courses should be chosen in accordance with major requirements outlined by the College of Liberal Arts' History Department. 

Economics

Economics courses should be chosen in accordance with major requirements outlined by the College of Liberal Arts' Economics Department.

Geography and Urban Studies

Geography and Urban Studies courses should be chosen in accordance with major requirements outlined by the College of Liberal Arts' Geography and Urban Studies Department.

Political Science

Political Science courses should be chosen in accordance with major requirements outlined by the College of Liberal Arts' Political Science Department.

Secondary Science Certification

Dr. Joseph Schmuckler, Program Advisor
215-204-6194
joseph.schmuckler@temple.edu

General Studies, Professional Course Sequence and Core Requirements

Several restrictions and additions to the requirements listed on the College Graduation Requirements page apply to students in this program.

● The Mathematics requirement cannot be met by 1011 (College Mathematics).
● The Mathematics requirements are listed in the program description below.
● The requirements in Science and Technology are different for the various science areas. These requirements are listed below.
● A course in philosophy or religion is required to meet the general studies requirements for certification.

Program Requirements

Secondary Education (for all Science certification areas)

* Pending approval

Academic Specialization (for Biology)

Academic Specialization (for Chemistry)

Academic Specialization (for Natural Science)

* All elective courses must be taken within the same department (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Geology).

Academic Specialization (for Physics)